Rule #2: Don't Be an Asshat: An Official Handbook for Raising Parents and Children

by Bruce Reyes-Chow, Robin Pugh

After a friend's impassioned Facebook plea to the parents of the world, Robin and Bruce were inspired. Agreeing with their friend that parents have one job-not raising their children to be [bleeps]-they decided to write this book in the pursuit of that goal. They believe that most children are not being raised to be [bleeps], but they also believe that all parents and guardians could use a little help in their endeavors.

This book is not a guaranteed how-to manual, nor is it the end-all, be-all of parenting advice. It is a playful guide highlighting the importance of community, parenting the whole child-body, mind, and soul-helping children explore their world, and laughing at the word "balls." It includes words of wisdom for the expectant parent, and even letters to the authors' former, childless selves. While this book is written to help those raising children, it also contains 101 lessons directed at children, always reminding both groups of their one goal: don't be an asshat.

202 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2016

About the author

Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow is an active speaker and writer on topics of faith, culture, race, and technology. He is the host of the podcast, BRC & Friends, and the author of five books. His latest is, “In Defense of Kindness: Why It Matters, How It Changes Our Lives, and How It Can Save the World” (Chalice Press, 2021), and "Everything Good about God is True: Choosing Faith" (Broadleaf Books, 2024)

Bruce has been an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) since 1995 and has pastored five churches and has been active in local politics in the San Francisco Bay Area for nearly three decades. He is also a Senior Consultant and Coach with Convergence and is a Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths Coach.

Bruce has an active online presence and can be found on most social networks via @breyeschow with all current links here: https://linktr.ee/breyeschow.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really get this book. It seemed to be written more to be funny than with a clear set purpose. I don't understand how it is a parenting book either. I felt the rules were obvious, nothing new there. But more so, it is written from a parent to a child. I felt like I was reading letters that these authors wrote to their children and then published it. It is just not what I thought the book would be about is all. All in all, if you struggle with being a nice person, these are good rules to follow but there is NO advice on how to teach these rules to your children, other than just be an example of course.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the best parenting book I have read. I am thankful for this!

[Carol Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be required reading for Family And Consumer Science classes in all high schools. In the front of this book there is a dedication page, you can write a letter to whomever you are giving the book to, my daughters. I also wrote throughout the book adding comments and rules of my own (there are five blank pages for your rules). May all human kind raise our children not to be asshats.